Scunthorpe Scorpions vs Sheffield Tigers preview

NEW-LOOK Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions face a tough test at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday (6.30pm) – the visit of local rivals Sheffield Tigers in Premier League action.

Sheffield contain a number of Scunthorpe track specialists in their side. In fact, four of the top eight in last week’s scintillating British Semi-Final – Simon Stead, Kyle Howarth, Jason Garrity and Josh Bates – will be in Tigers’ colours on Sunday early evening.

“Sunday’s meeting is as going to be as tough as they come for us”, admits Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey.

“Every single one of Sheffield’s top four was superb in the British Semi-Final. But let’s remember that Josh Auty also had a great meeting that night, and Carl Wilkinson was mixing it as well.

“We are capable enough of winning the meeting. And if we beat Sheffield around our place, then we can beat anyone.

“One thing that almost seems certain is that there will be some cracking racing. I hope the fans come along on Sunday and really get behind our boys. We really want those three points.”

A plus for Scunthorpe is that Richard Hall (another EWR track specialist) has been recently dropped by the Tigers and replaced at reserve by Arthur Sissis. With Scunthorpe’s team changes pushing Carl Wilkinson to reserve, Scorpions will be looking to outscore Tigers in that area.

Much of the focus of attention for Sunday’s meeting will surround the re-introduction of Danes Michael Palm Toft and Andreas Lyager to Scorpions’ line-up.

Palm Toft previously rode for Scunthorpe between 2011 and 2013 and won the league championship with the club in 2012, while Lyager made four appearances for Scorpions at the conclusion of the 2015 season.

Godfrey says: “Andreas gave us a brief glimpse of what he’s capable of last season and I really do think he can hit the ground running.

“The kid’s only 18 years old, he’s desperate to ride for us and he’s been riding in Denmark and on the continent so far this season and had some good scores. He’s invested in his machinery, he’s our asset and one for the future.

“Meanwhile, we know what Michael can do. He was certainly knocking up the scores for us at the end of 2012 and one of the key figures in our championship-winning team. He’s a class act around our place.

“We feel we’ve now regained the strength in depth that this team was built around, and we’ve got back a big hitter in the No. 6 berth in the shape of Carl Wilkinson.”

There are 24 heats of action in total on Sunday, with a nine-race second half including a six-heat Midland Development League match between Scunthorpe & Belle Vue.

Admission prices for Sunday:

Adult: £15.00
Student/OAP: £13.00
Child (10 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17)
Match Programme: £1.00

Expected teams for Sunday:

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Andreas Lyager, 3. Alex Davies, 4. Michael Palm Toft, 5. Ryan Douglas, 6. Carl Wilkinson, 7. Josh Bailey.

Sheffield Tigers: 1. Simon Stead, 2. Dimitri Berge, 3. Kyle Howarth, 4. Josh Bates, 5. Jason Garrity, 6. Arthur Sissis, 7. Nathan Greaves.

Midland Development League teams:
Scunthorpe Stags: 1. TBA, 2. Lloyd Ditchburn, 3. Luke Whitehead, 4. Sam Chapman.
Belle Vue Colts: 1. TBA, 2. Ollie Rutter, 3. Stephen Whitehouse, 4. George Rothery.

Sheffield Tigers at EWR

Other Notes

Josh Bates
Former Scunthorpe Scorpion.
Twice British Under-21 Champion (2014 and 2016).
2015 British Under-19 Champion.
Member of Mildenhall’s National League Championship, KO Cup and Trophy Winning Teams in 2012.
Member of Mildenhall’s National League Trophy Winning Team in 2014.

Dimitri Berge
2012 World Longtrack Champion (250cc)
Has ridden in 1 World Cup meeting for his country.

Jason Garrity
2008 British Under-15 Champion.
2011 British Under-19 and National League Riders’ Champion.
Member of Buxton’s National League Championship, Trophy and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2010.
Premier Challenge Trophy Winner with Rye House in 2012.

Nathan Greaves
Twice British Youth 250cc Champion (2011 and 2012).
Twice British Youth 500cc Champion (2012 and 2013).
Member of Dudley’s National League Championship, KO Cup and National Shield Winning Teams in 2013.
Member of Cradley’s National League Championship, KO Cup and Four-Team Championship Winning Teams in 2014.

Kyle Howarth
2015 British Under-21 Champion.
Rode for the Scunthorpe Saints in 2009 National League.
Member of Poole’s Elite League KO Cup Winning Team in 2012.

Arthur Sissis
Recently signed following injury which ended his debut Premier League season.
2008/2009 Australian Under-16 Champion.

Simon Stead
2014 Premier League Riders’ Champion.
Three times British Under-21 Champion (2001 to 2003).
Youth Development League Riders Champion 1998.
Has ridden in 4 Grand Prixs and 11 Speedway World Cup meetings.
Member of Peterborough’s Premier League Championship Winning Team in 1998.
Member of Sheffield’s Premier League Championship and Young Shield Winning Teams in 1999 and 2002.
Member of Sheffield’s Premier Trophy Winning Team in 2001 and KO Cup Winning Team in 2002.
Three times Premier League Fours Winner (1999/2000 with Sheffield and 2004 with Workington).
Member of Workington’s Premier League Pairs Winning Duo in 2003.
Member of Belle Vue’s Elite League Pairs Winning Duo in 2006.
Member of Belle Vue’s Elite League KO Cup Winning Team in 2005.
Member of Coventry’s Elite League Craven Shield Winning Team in 2008.
Member of Swindon’s Elite League Winning Team in 2012.

Sheffield Tigers’ Record at EWR

Meetings Ridden: 20

Won: 9
Drawn: 0
Lost: 11

Biggest Win: 53 – 40 (6 April 2015)
Heaviest Defeat: 63 – 31 (21 June 2013)

Last Visit: 50 – 43 (W – 27 March 2016)